City N, Joseph Group
Julian was so angry he pushed open the door to the president’s office and demanded, “Why did you cut
my program?”
Joseph furrowed his brow, lifted his gaze, and said sharply, “I said as much in the meeting. The budget
is not enough.”
“The budget isn’t enough, or you just don’t want to let me to take charge of this project?”
“You think I need to do that?”
“If the budget isn’t enough, I can transfer funds from overseas investment.”
Evenly Joseph replied, “Only Grandfather can do that. You’d need his permission.”
“I’ll make him agree!”
Joseph smiled coldly.
After Julian left, John came in. Lately the boss had him keeping track of Kathy’s comings and goings,
but after leaving the Booth home, there’d been no trace of her. “Sir,” he reported, “we’re unable to
ascertain Miss Kathy’s whereabouts.”
Joseph furrowed his brow, took out his phone, and dialed that familiar number, only to hear, “The
number you have dialed is not in service.”
Joseph gripped his phone tightly, his face equally tight. The people Kathy had come into contact with in
B Country weren’t so many. “Check out Bertie Marshall and Billy Hilton.”
John did as instructed, returning later to report, “Sir, Billy returned to City N yesterday, and has been at
home ever since. Whereas Bertie is at his family home, and there’s not yet any sign of this missus.”
“Keep an eye on him, and book me a ticket to B Country.”
…
Come morning, Kathy had barely slept a wink, only stared at the ceiling. Bertie had personally made
her breakfast, but she’d had no appetite, had hardly eaten. “When we go out you’ll need your strength,”
he admonished, “what if you feel faint because you don’t eat? Will you want me to carry you back?”
She furrowed her brow. “I’m not going out.”
“If you want your SIM card back sooner rather than later, you’ll go out with me.”
Kathy grimaced and picked up her spoon. “I hope you’re true to your word, Mr. Marshall.”
After breakfast, Bertie took Kathy up to Country B’s highest mountain. He was hoping that some fresh
air would help her relax. But her expression remained as tight as ever. The mountain had two paths:
one for cable cars, and one for pedestrians.
“Can you climb?” he asked her.
She shook her head. “Let’s do the cable car.” She just wanted to get back as soon as possible. If they
actually climbed the damn mountain, they’d be there all day. And she didn’t feel like it, anyway.
Bertie had nothing to say to that, so they took a cable car. Kathy was silent the entire ride, but seeing
the ground fall farther and farther away, she couldn’t help but be afraid. She balled her hands into fists,
her complexion pale. Eyes closed, her heart beating fast, even her body began to shake.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re afraid of heights?” Bertie accused, wanting to hold her.
But before he could, she opened her eyes and said, “When we get back, you’ll give me my SIM card?”
She was still thinking of that! He was incensed, yet facing her, he restrained his temper. “Yes.”
She smiled. “Excellent.” Looking down, she held on tight, trying to relax.
Worriedly Bertie said, “Come sit by me.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine.” Seeing him move to come over, she held up a hand. “Don’t touch me.”
“I won’t, I’m only worried for you,” he said with a furrowed brow.
Finally the cable car came to a stop at the top of the mountain. Kathy released a long breath, looked at
the scenery, and gradually began to relax. Beside her Bertie said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were
afraid of heights, else I’d not have brought you up here.”
“It’s okay,” she said coolly.
He nodded to another path. “There’s another road, do you want to go up?”
“Okay.”
At the mountain’s peak, the view was expansive, with practically all of Country B visible. Kathy’s mood
improved greatly. If Bertie weren’t with her, it would be even better.
“Are you hungry?” he asked with concern. She shook her head. Taking the cable car, she’d expended
little energy. Nevertheless, Bertie extracted a bag of candy from his backpack. Kathy stared. It was her
favorite kind.
He even unwrapped it for her, held it out, but she didn’t take it. “I bought this for you.”
“I don’t like it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Because I’m giving it to you, you don’t like it?”
“Right,” she agreed. She hated him, so anything he did, she hated too.
“Can’t you cut me some slack? Just a little?” he asked, his eyes narrowing further.
“No, I can’t,” she replied coldly.
His voice became even colder. “Do you still like Joseph?”
Kathy lifted her gaze. Her complexion changed at the sound of that name. Even just hearing it, her
heart yearned.
Bertie saw as much on her face, and knew in that moment. The atmosphere between them grew
incredibly tense. They went back down the mountain single-file, with Kathy in front. Gradually, the sky
began to change, cloud cover forming. It would take at least two more hours to get down the mountain.
Kathy began walking faster, with Bertie following, saying, “Slow down, we’ll find somewhere to dodge
the rain.” But Kathy did not want to stop, she wanted to go back. The rain began falling thick and fast.
They had no umbrella, and would soon be soaked.
Kathy wanted to scream in frustration. Ahead was a pavilion. Bertie led her there to avoid the rain, but
she said, “Bertie, I want to get off the mountain.”
“You’ll get sick before you do,” he retorted. Both of them were dripping wet already, to get any wetter
would surely risk sickness.
Kathy grimaced, bit her lip, moved away from him. It was already four in the afternoon. If they waited
any longer, soon it would be too dark to descend. Suddenly, a jacket was around her shoulders.
Bertie’s. She went to remove it, but Bertie stayed her hand, said, “I’m not cold.”
“I’m not either.” But as soon as she said it, she sneezed.
“If you get sick, you’ll have to stay longer at my house.” Kathy hadn’t much to say to that. Apparently he
loved threats. She turned her head with a huff.
Bertie pursed his lips and looked up at the sky. He hoped it would rain longer, so his time alone with her
would be greater. But soon enough, the skies cleared. The rain had come and gone quickly. Kathy
returned his jacket to him and left the pavilion.
Bertie followed behind her. Suddenly, Kathy slipped, nearly falling. He steadied her, and she couldn’t
avoid crashing into his chest. An unfamiliar scent filled her with protest, and the next thing she knew,
she was pushing him away.
Bertie furrowed his brow, helped steady her anyway. “Be careful, let me hold your hand, okay?” he
pleaded with her. The steps were slippery, it was easy to fall.
“I’ll be careful.” She struggled free of his arms, her expression cool.
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